Navy is a factory worker from Cambodia. She has a daughter and a son. She likes to spend time with her family at home. When she was seven years old, Navy had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Navy experiences recurrent infection, bad hearing, and tinnitus. She cannot communicate easily with others because she can't hear out of her left ear. Navy traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 2, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope the infection goes away and I can hear out of my left ear again."

Thue is a 40-year-old famer from Burma. Thue lives her husband, three sons, and one daughter. She and her husband work on their farm along with their eldest son. They also raise chicken and pigs, which they sometimes sell if the crops were not good. Two months ago, Thue started experiencing abdominal pain, and she could not sleep and eat well. She lost consciousness several times because of the pain. She visited to the hospital, and the doctor diagnosed her with a gallstone. Thue has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Thue's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Thue is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on April 18. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Thue's procedure and care. Thue says, “After I recover, I want to look after my children again and take care of my household."

Edward is a three-year-old boy from Kenya. He is an only child. He loves to play. His father is a barber, while his mother stays at home to look after him. In his young life, Edward has experienced several medical complications. He has cardiac complications, which have necessitated two surgeries. Though community fundraisers, he has undergone surgery and is recovering well. In addition, Edward cannot hear well and has not yet developed speech. He was referred to our medical partner's care center, where hearing aids were recommended. Edward is scheduled to receive hearing aids on March 14. Now, his family needs help raising $712 to pay for the hearing aids. His father says, “My hope is to have my son get the hearing aids and develop ability to speak."

Thein is a 41-year-old Burmese man. He lives with his wife, and together they have two children. He has been unable to work for the past two years. His family is now entirely reliant on his sister and brother-in-law’s income. His sister works as a grocer, while her husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. Thein was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Thein experiences severe fatigue and heart palpitations. He cannot walk long distances. He usually has difficulty sleeping at night, constantly worrying about how he cannot afford to pay for surgery. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Thein. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 21 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I have two children and a wife who I can’t support but I really want to,” explains Thein solemnly. “My sister only has a small shop but is trying to support everyone, so I feel very bad that I can’t help out.”

Nailoisi is a baby from Tanzania. She is the fourth born in a family of four children. Nailoisi’s mother sells sugar in her village, and her father is a motorcycle taxi driver. Nailoisi has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Nailoisi traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 11. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Nailoisi's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and without pain. Nailoisi’s mother says, “I am grateful to find treatment for my daughter this soon. I could not stand the idea that my daughter will not be able to walk normally or not walk at all. I am very grateful for the help my daughter is receiving. Thank you.”

Pawt Sue is a bright and active four-year-old boy from Burma. He lives in a village with his mother and seven-year-old brother and two-year-old sister. His father works in a restaurant in Thailand and sends money to the family every two or three months. Since he was a week old, Pawt Sue has had an inguinal hernia. Whenever he cries, his scrotum became swollen. As the time went by, his condition seemed to worsen. The more active he became, the more pain he experienced. Fortunately, on December 18, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Pawt Sue's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 18 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His mother says, "My son says he wants to be a surgeon when he grows up. He wants to help other children who are in pain."

Masiaya is an active and playful four-month-old baby from Tanzania. He lives with a family of four. Masiaya’s parents are small-scale pastoralists with two cattle, four goats, and nine sheep. Masiaya has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Masiaya traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 14. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Masiaya's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Masiaya will be able to walk without difficulty and attend school when he grows up. Masiaya’s mother says, “I will be very thankful once Masiaya is treated. I promise that when Masiaya has healed, we will raise him up well, take him to school, and help him through life till he grows and is independent."

Mirlene is a 48-year-old woman from Haiti. She is the mother of three children, and she currently lives with her eldest daughter in Port-au-Prince. Before she became ill, Mirlene worked as a housekeeper. In her free time, Mirlene enjoys going to church and participating in church activities. She did not have the opportunity to attend school, but she made sure that all of her kids attended to school. In November 2016, Mirlene felt a small mass in her right breast. However, the mass did not cause her any pain. She asked her friends and neighbors where she should go to seek help, and was referred to St. Luc Family Hospital (our medical partner's care center) and their cancer program. In December 2016, Mirlene underwent a biopsy and was diagnosed with cancer. Her diagnosis did not sadden her, and she was ready to fight. After four sessions of chemotherapy, Mirlene will undergo a mastectomy on August 26. Our medical partner, Innovating Health International, has requested $1,085 to fund Mirlene's procedure. This amount will cover the full cost of Mirlene's treatment, including a two-night hospital stay, supplies, medication, labs, physician and nurse time, radiology, and travel expenses. After her surgery, she will also have four sessions of chemotherapy again. After treatment, Mirlene will be able to get back into work and support herself and her children.

Willy is a 22-year-old man from Kenya. He is the the second born in a family of eight children. Willy's parents are peasant farmers. Willy was hit by a vehicle and sustained bilateral hip injuries. Willy has not received any treatment since the accident occurred, due to his family's tight finances. Willy is in pain and cannot stand or walk without support. Willy's family is not able to raise the funds needed for his treatment. Willy's mother says, “Please help my son go for surgery. Even if we went back home, there is no way could raise the money. In fact the money we used to come to the hospital was raised by well-wishers.” Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,231 to fund Willy's surgery. He will undergo surgery to repair his hip injuries on July 10.

Elizabeth is a 42-year-old flower farmer from Nakuru, Kenya. Elizabeth has three children and makes a living by working on a flower farm. In July of last year, Elizabeth noticed a small lump in her breast. After several tests, the diagnosis was confirmed to be breast cancer. Although she was able to complete the necessary chemotherapy, she requires a mastectomy to complete the treatment. If Elizabeth does not get treated, she will be at risk of the cancer spreading, which will only lead to further complications with her health. Elizabeth says, “I want to be cancer free and be there for my children.” On May 24, Elizabeth will undergo a mastectomy through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. The $816 amount will pay for surgical materials, medication, and six nights of hospital stay.

Pasimayi is a quiet five-year-old boy who lives in Tanzania. Pasimayi lives with his grandmother. His parents are farmers. A snake bit Pasimayi when he was playing around the bushes with his friends. His grandmother took him to a nearby health clinic for treatment, where they gave him medication for the pain. Pasimayi was also given an anti-venom drug, but his tissue had already suffered too much damage to heal on its own. Pasimayi is currently unable to use his arm to perform any activities. He was then referred to a facility associated with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), where a skin graft was recommended to transplant healthy tissue to the damaged area. We expect that after this treatment, Pasimayi’s arm will heal faster, minimizing his scarring and increasing the probability of regaining the use of both arms. The procedure is scheduled for April 27. AMHF is asking for $711 to cover the costs of Pasimayi's treatment. Your donation will help pay for the surgery and theater time, surgical supplies, laboratory tests, physician's fees, medication, and one night of hospital stay. “Please help my grandson get better," says Pasimayi's grandmother. "I feel responsible for his accident.”

Mouykim is a 53-year-old rice and crop farmer who is married with two sons and one daughter. She enjoys listening to the news on the radio and watching dramas on TV. Four months ago, Mouykim developed a cataract in both of her eyes. This has caused her blurred vision, pain, and irritation. It is difficult for Mouykim to see things clearly, do work, or go places on her own. She is worried about her deteriorating vision loss. Mouykim traveled with her son to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. On March 16, surgeons at CSC will perform a phacoemulsification procedure followed by an intraocular lens implantation. With $292, we can help Mouykim to see clearly again!